House Things

Want some art to spruce up your walls but don’t want to spend a fortune? Check out Daily Painter Originals, a site dedicated to exactly what it says: artists painting daily and posting their work for sale. The artists are based all over the US and their art runs the gamut. There’s something here for every artistic taste. Here are just a few images to get you thinking.

Mini Orange and White by Cindy Haase

Light Canopy by Julie Davis

Bell Tower by Stephen Parker

Last Snow of Winter by Liz Wiltzen

Concentric squares, various sizes

Dandelion rug, various sizes and colors

Isnik Tiles rug, various colors and sizes

We’ve been doing a whole lot of furniture moving around, due to various changes in living spaces for my husband’s father. They have all required major league downsizing and getting rid of furniture, etc. Last weekend, we did it again and this time inherited the rug that was once in my in-laws’ living room. I wasn’t entirely sold on making this switch. I was perfectly happy with the Oriental rug I had inherited from my grandmother’s house. (Can you tell that we actually hardly ever buy furniture?) Anyway, I knew my husband needed to have this rug in our home emotionally so I said, sure, and I have to tell you it entirely changed the room, pulling together things in a way that really works. So, with that in mind, I give you Company C, which specializes in handmade area rugs.

A vase of flowers is always a great way to perk up a room — or its owner for that matter! Who doesn’t feel better surrounded by flowers? These whimsical vases from Frances Palmer caught my eye recently. Each of her handmade pieces are deliberately asymmetrical, with quirky misaligned fluting. You can get her work in white earthenware, terra cotta for the garden or translucent high fire porcelain. Feast your eyes. They’re not inexpensive, but how lovely!

Which one is your favorite?

Japan vase, $175

Pewter vase, each sold separately, $225

Trapezoid vase, $250

New website alert: Harabu House is dedicated to modern living, global flair and has a ton of items to make your home special.

Here are just a few things I fell in love with:

Stone-shaped candles come in shades of gray and are molded from unscented palm wax. They’re sold in sets of six for the medium, 3 for the large. Group them together to make an interesting and intimate tablescape. $16 for each set

This is — wait for it — a bread basket. Designed by Josh Jakus and made from 100 percent felt, this clever basket stores flat and then you just fold it up when you’re ready to use it. Love that! Price is $62.

My apologies to readers who’ve wondered if I fell off the edge of the Earth. We’re launching another magazine and I’ve just been too busy to troll. But I’m back now, I hope, with some goodies from the webosphere for you to ponder.

The folks at JC Penney sent me some photos of what’s going on in their stores if you’re looking to refresh your home in little ways. Adding new touches as the seasons change is a great way to make your home feel a little different, particularly important, I think, as we move to cooler days and nights, ie the need for a little coziness gets higher — at least it does on my list! Which of these looks do you like?

Like vintage? Like primitive? Like recycled/upcycled/eco-friendly? Relique has a little bit of all of it for your home. Here are just a few photos to whet your decorating appetite. Happy surfing!

Antique Folk Art Primitive Wood Donkey/Farmer Whirligig, $459

Antique Primitive Folk Art Handmade Wooden Shoeshine Stand, $299

Two Art Nouveau Glazed Terracotta Tiles by Mosaic Tile Co., $159

Vintage Industrial Wood Bottling Factory Box End Table, $389

I know poufs aren’t “new” as a fad, but I’m still loving them and just wish I had the right place for one in my home. I also am intensely jealous that these little numbers are all hand-knit since I am a knitter and clearly (in theory) could make one of these — except I’m not that clever. So instead, I may just buy one from La Casa Decoto‘s Etsy shop. These are cotton and are perfect for floor pillows in a family room, bedroom or even a dorm. You can buy it stuffed or just the covering with a case inside for stuffing yourself. (Which might be easier for shipping.) Please specify in your order which color you would like. $63.65 for one.

Interested in grouping some art on your wall but not sure how to pull together the various frames? Mountain Cove Antiques can help. The sets in this Etsy shop are varying sizes, colors and shapes. All are sold as empty frames; no glass or backings folks. The upcycled frames here are painted in lovely autumn hues to get your redo of a wall going fast. All come with hangers. All you have to do is fill them and hang. Sizes in this set include 2 8X10, 1 6X8, 3 5X7, 1 4X5, 1 5″ square and 1 2.5X3.5. Price is $54.

And finally a pillow to freshen up your family room or wherever, and add a little autumnal flavor. This 18″ pillow cover top in Warm ‘n’ Fuzzies’ shop is sewn completely by hand and features 100 percent cotton batik fabrics. The fabrics were pre-washed, although she advises hand washing in cold water just to be safe. Price is $47.50.

I know poufs aren’t “new” as a fad, but I’m still loving them and just wish I had the right place for one in my home. I also am intensely jealous that these little numbers are all hand-knit since I am a knitter and clearly (in theory) could make one of these — except I’m not that clever. So instead, I may just buy one from La Casa Decoto‘s Etsy shop. These are cotton and are perfect for floor pillows in a family room, bedroom or even a dorm. You can buy it stuffed or just the covering with a case inside for stuffing yourself. (Which might be easier for shipping.) Please specify in your order which color you would like. $63.65 for one.

Interested in grouping some art on your wall but not sure how to pull together the various frames? Mountain Cove Antiques can help. The sets in this Etsy shop are varying sizes, colors and shapes. All are sold as empty frames; no glass or backings folks. The upcycled frames here are painted in lovely autumn hues to get your redo of a wall going fast. All come with hangers. All you have to do is fill them and hang. Sizes in this set include 2 8X10, 1 6X8, 3 5X7, 1 4X5, 1 5″ square and 1 2.5X3.5. Price is $54.

And finally a pillow to freshen up your family room or wherever, and add a little autumnal flavor. This 18″ pillow cover top in Warm ‘n’ Fuzzies’ shop is sewn completely by hand and features 100 percent cotton batik fabrics. The fabrics were pre-washed, although she advises hand washing in cold water just to be safe. Price is $47.50.